Growing Trends in Alternative Medicine

At a time when one in two American adults has at least one chronic disease, it is safe to say not all medicine has been figured out. There are numerous drugs for medical conditions and health guidelines regarding food intake, smoking, and physical exercise. However, when your patients complain about ongoing headaches, heartburn, or joint pain, medicine often has little to offer. For this reason, many doctors are turning to alternative medicine as a larger and more integrative approach to health. Here are ten growing trends in alternative medicine that are beginning to challenge conventional wisdom:

1. Yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong
   Around 21 million adults and 1.7 million children practice yoga. Studies show all three forms help individuals lose weight, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress. By recommending these exercises to your patients, you encourage them to take their workout to a higher mind-body connection. This way, they can enhance self-control and focus on body awareness.
2. Acupuncture 
   Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine derived from ancient Chinese medicine. Thin needles are inserted at certain areas in the body for therapeutic or preventive purposes. Results for several studies suggest acupuncture may help alleviate pain associated with chronic conditions such as neck pain, lower back pain, and osteoarthritis. It may also reduce the frequency of throbbing headaches and prevent migraines. If your patients suffer from such conditions, acupuncture may be a reasonable option to consider.
3. Reiki 
   Reiki, also known as energy medicine, is an ancient healing technique that involves channeling energy into a patient by means of touch. The purpose of the treatment is to trigger the patient’s ability to heal and restore their physical and emotional well-being. While there isn’t any scientific evidence to prove such energy exists, reiki can make your patients feel more grounded, calm, and relaxed.
4. Probiotics 
   As you are well aware, most often, your patients may use probiotics to protect themselves from so-called “bad bacteria.” While more research needs to be done on their effectiveness, some studies show probiotics do in fact help individuals suffering from stomach-related issues (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and diarrhea). In any case, talk with your patients about taking probiotics under the right circumstances and under your care.
5. Fish oil supplements 
   Fish oil is a common natural product taken by both adults and children. It is thought to lower the risk of heart disease, the number one killer of Americans. Fish oil supplements can alleviate pain from rheumatoid arthritis and ease health-related issues such as asthma, allergies, and anxiety. Recommend eating fish at least two times a week to your patients. Explain to them the importance of omega-3 fatty acids and their anti-inflammatory effects.
6. Melatonin
   The use of melatonin has doubled in the last ten years. While the body naturally creates melatonin to help regulate the sleep cycle, some of your patients may be struggling with insomnia or jet lag. Talk to them about the possibility of taking melatonin supplements as an alternative medicine for treating sleeping problems.
7. Roseroot
   Roseroot is a traditional folk medicine used to increase longevity, endorse work endurance, and promote resistance to medical conditions such as depression, altitude sickness, and fatigue. According to recent findings, roseroot extract may have antidepressant effects in some patients with mild to moderate depression. Talk with your patients who are suffering from depression and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the herb.
8. Coconut oil 
   ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Based on several studies, coconut oil has shown to have a substantial benefit in the treatment of ALS. While the cause of the condition remains unknown, coconut oil can help raise energy levels. Once consumed, coconut oil converts to ketone bodies that can be used by cells as energy. Recommend cholesterol-free coconut oil to your patients. This oil can replace butter when cooking or baking, thus lowering saturated fat and adding a healthier alternative.
9. Fecal Transplants 
   Researchers have found transplantation of fecal matter has successfully treated Clostridium difficile infections and severe gut infections. If you have patients who are suffering from recurrent cases of diarrhea or severe abdominal pain, fecal transplants may reduce their symptoms and promote healthier changes.
10. Cannabis
    There is mounting evidence that suggests cannabis might help stop the progression of ALS and treat relating symptoms, such as muscle spasms, secretions, and weight loss. It is also suggested cannabis may be a possible cure for cancer. Cannabinoids have been proven to reduce cancer cells, all the while rebuilding the immune system. Still, much research needs to be done on both the positive and negative effects of cannabis.

Medicine is continuing to race ahead with newer, more sophisticated drugs and surgical techniques. At the same time, there is an increasing acceptance of alternative medicine and complementary forms of healing. As conventional medicine is becoming more invasive and less in-touch with the individual in poor health, informed individuals are using more natural, less drug-orientated therapies. The good news? Most natural remedies work—often better than prescription drugs, for certain health-related conditions. 

The “alternative” vs. “conventional” conflict is simply divided by means of regulation. Alternative treatments are not regulated the same way as conventional ones, and there is often little initiative to prove how such products work. Yet, it is important to keep in mind that alternative treatments that work aren’t alternatives—they are simply medicine. The most important distinction is not where the treatments come from, but rather how much we know about them.